# The Game Room **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=35 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 36 --- ## [RIP Tim Wakefield (former MLB pitcher)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-tim-wakefield-former-mlb-pitcher/990964)
**Author:** [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2023, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-tim-wakefield-former-mlb-pitcher/990964 "2023-10-14T20:03:16Z")
Tim Wakefield, a longtime veteran pitcher in MLB, primarily with the Red Sox, has passed away at age 57. Wakefield had started his professional career as a first baseman, but upon learning that he was unlikely to make i… --- ## [Wordle skill level rating of opening words](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wordle-skill-level-rating-of-opening-words/991520)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2023, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wordle-skill-level-rating-of-opening-words/991520 "2023-10-13T21:51:04Z")
As an opening word, slate is referred to by the bot as the word of a “Wordle genius” and is given a skill level of 99. The word, stale, is given a skill level rating of 97. Same letters, different order. Does this mea… --- ## [Microsoft reportedly buying Activision Blizzard](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-reportedly-buying-activision-blizzard/957992)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2023, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-reportedly-buying-activision-blizzard/957992 "2023-10-13T21:42:02Z")
I don’t play that many video games anymore but if this happens, holy crap. They will basically own almost all the video game market right? --- ## [2 hour marathon mark is now officially on life support](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-hour-marathon-mark-is-now-officially-on-life-support/991319)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2023, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-hour-marathon-mark-is-now-officially-on-life-support/991319 "2023-10-13T16:37:29Z")
Thousands participate in Chicago Marathon as race winner Kelvin Kiptum sets unofficial world record 2:00:35. We should have a pool for this, either for the date/race when it is finally broken and/or for the runner who … --- ## [NFL 2023: WEEK FIVE will get you ten](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-five-will-get-you-ten/991155)
**Author:** [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2023, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-five-will-get-you-ten/991155 "2023-10-13T03:42:28Z")
Well, things are starting to settle down in the NFL. We knew the Chiefs and Bills would be great, and they’re both 3-1, but neither has looked dominant overall (although the Bills shaming of the Dolphins was impressive).… --- ## [Video games with great stories](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-games-with-great-stories/990255)
**Author:** [@CastletonSnob1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CastletonSnob1)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2023, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-games-with-great-stories/990255 "2023-10-12T12:42:42Z")
Video game stories have come a long way since the “Defeat the villain and save the princess” days. What games would you say have great stories? I just got all 5 main endings for NieR: Automata, and WOW, what a rollercoa… --- ## [San Diego Padres uniforms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/san-diego-padres-uniforms/990569)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2023, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/san-diego-padres-uniforms/990569 "2023-10-11T03:17:58Z")
I’ve been boycotting MLB until they ditch the abomination of regular season interleague play. That said, I was in a bar tonight where the TVs were turned to MLB instead of something worthwhile like SpongeBob SquarePants,… --- ## [Road running rule: straight line distance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-running-rule-straight-line-distance/991323)
**Author:** [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2023, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-running-rule-straight-line-distance/991323 "2023-10-10T13:04:11Z")
I was looking at the Book of Rules for athletic competitions published by World Athletics. In the section for road running events, rule 31.21.2 says The start and finish points of a course, measured along a theoretical… --- ## [Hexalexicon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hexalexicon/991311)
**Author:** [@Strinka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strinka)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2023, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hexalexicon/991311 "2023-10-10T00:08:48Z")
I made this game. It’s like Boggle, but on a hexagonal grid. Try it out and let me know what you think! --- ## [NFL 2023: WEEK FOUR leaf clover](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-four-leaf-clover/990831)
**Author:** [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2023, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-four-leaf-clover/990831 "2023-10-08T19:59:03Z")
Hey, did any of you hear that Taylor Swift was at the Chiefs game last week and is dating Travis Kelce? I had no idea. I’m sure the massive increase in his jersey sales has to do with his resumption of his Hall of Fame c… --- ## [Arcade Game ID](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arcade-game-id/991185)
**Author:** [@WhyKickAMooCow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyKickAMooCow)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2023, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arcade-game-id/991185 "2023-10-08T02:25:56Z")
I’d like to find out the name of an arcade game and wondered if anyone here might be able to help. I played it in 2007 and it had been out a year or two at the time. I believe at least two differently themed games were b… --- ## [NYT Online Crossword Puzzle Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-online-crossword-puzzle-question/991199)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2023, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-online-crossword-puzzle-question/991199 "2023-10-06T19:23:13Z")
I have been on an unwanted hiatus from work for the past six weeks. Since there’s only so much time I can spend bingeing quality programming, I’ve taken to seeking out and solving online puzzles and brain teasers. For th… --- ## [Is this logic puzzle legit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-logic-puzzle-legit/990561)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2023, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-logic-puzzle-legit/990561 "2023-10-06T18:31:24Z")
I was just trying to solve a daily logic puzzle by Kevin Stone. Here’s the puzzle: After a local bungled heist, five suspects were being interviewed by the police. Eventually, the police managed to get a confession. … --- ## [MLB: September 2023](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2023/989543)
**Author:** [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2023, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2023/989543 "2023-10-02T23:26:00Z")
Didn’t see this one started, so I stepped in. Technically the season ends on 10/1, but I suspect we can let the extra day slide and the next thread will be for the post-season. The Cubs, after an 18-9 August catapulted … --- ## [Player tics in video games](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/player-tics-in-video-games/990443)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2023, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/player-tics-in-video-games/990443 "2023-10-01T21:18:12Z")
What is something you always do in video games that has very little, or even no, impact on the game? I always jump for the Koopalings’ Wands in Super Mario Bros. 3. I always shout out “WAAAAAH!” and raise my right fist… --- ## [What video games are most like a combination of open world and mystery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-video-games-are-most-like-a-combination-of-open-world-and-mystery/990920)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2023, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-video-games-are-most-like-a-combination-of-open-world-and-mystery/990920 "2023-10-01T17:13:16Z")
Let’s start with the details of the type of game I’m looking for. To start with, the platform doesn’t matter. The game should be an open world type game, focused more on solving a mystery rather than on the combat. It… --- ## [Which one do you like better? Beamng or GTA V](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-one-do-you-like-better-beamng-or-gta-v/990911)
**Author:** [@Jagraze1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jagraze1)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2023, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-one-do-you-like-better-beamng-or-gta-v/990911 "2023-09-30T20:09:47Z")
Personally, I like Beamng better because its not as age restricted as GTA V and is not as violent. What about you? --- ## [Chess players, how do you deal with a computer being better than any human will ever be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-players-how-do-you-deal-with-a-computer-being-better-than-any-human-will-ever-be/787464)
**Author:** [@Tabby\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabby_Cat)\ **Replies:** 160\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2023, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-players-how-do-you-deal-with-a-computer-being-better-than-any-human-will-ever-be/787464 "2023-09-29T21:12:07Z")
So, it’s official. Computers are better than humans at Go - AlphaGo has beaten the top pro decisively and the pros generally agree that AlphaGo is significantly better than the top pros. Chess has been in that unenviabl… --- ## [R.I.P. Brooks Robinson](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-brooks-robinson/990752)
**Author:** [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2023, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-brooks-robinson/990752 "2023-09-29T14:53:35Z")
Brooks Robinson has died at the age of 86: He was one of the greatest defensive players ever at any position. He was a decent hitter, too. He won an MVP award in 1964, and was on two World Series champion teams. Good… --- ## [Can I get a group together to pick a brand-new MLB HoF?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-group-together-to-pick-a-brand-new-mlb-hof/989346)
**Author:** [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Replies:** 150\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2023, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-group-together-to-pick-a-brand-new-mlb-hof/989346 "2023-09-29T12:40:27Z")
If you consider yourself a reasonable and knowledgeable student of the game, you’re eligible to help me select a Hall of Fame from scratch. I have a series of questions, the answers to which grow increasingly complicated… --- ## [Doubleheaders](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doubleheaders/988632)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2023, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doubleheaders/988632 "2023-09-28T05:00:26Z")
MLB baseball has had “doubleheaders” forever - although not as many recently as in the past (a doubleheader is two games played between the same teams - usually one after the other with a short break between them - one … --- ## [NFL 2023: WEEK THREE ring circus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-three-ring-circus/990494)
**Author:** [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2023, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-three-ring-circus/990494 "2023-09-28T04:02:01Z")
Didn’t take long for injuries to become the biggest story in the NFL. Jets trade away a couple second round picks for Aaron Rodgers and he earns about over 9 Million dollars per snap that he actually played for them. Nic… --- ## [Seeking Video Games for a 3 Year Old](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-video-games-for-a-3-year-old/989011)
**Author:** [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2023, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-video-games-for-a-3-year-old/989011 "2023-09-24T01:36:06Z")
We have a PS4 Pro and we just inherited a Nintendo Switch. I want to start my kid off right. He’s smart, but not very coordinated, and I’m hoping this helps his fine motor. He’s obsessed with numbers, so bonus points i… --- ## [Nfl sunday ticket](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-sunday-ticket/990224)
**Author:** [@mglambo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mglambo)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2023, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-sunday-ticket/990224 "2023-09-23T23:35:19Z")
I bought the YouTube NFL Sunday Ticket . Not YouTube TV just the app. Watched week one games last week. Can’t be home tomorrow though. I can’t figure out how to record the Jets Cowboys or any games. I can see how to view… --- ## [Wearing down the opposing team's best CBs with repeated fly routes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wearing-down-the-opposing-teams-best-cbs-with-repeated-fly-routes/990191)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2023, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wearing-down-the-opposing-teams-best-cbs-with-repeated-fly-routes/990191 "2023-09-22T16:51:56Z")
Someone on Reddit had posted this and I wondered why it wasn’t a more common strategy in the NFL (apparently, Richard Sherman had once complained about such a tactic): The strategy was that you target the opposing team’… --- ## [When a team is promoted to the EPL, how much of the roster stays in place?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-team-is-promoted-to-the-epl-how-much-of-the-roster-stays-in-place/985563)
**Author:** [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2023, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-team-is-promoted-to-the-epl-how-much-of-the-roster-stays-in-place/985563 "2023-09-22T08:22:03Z")
So Luton Town got promoted to the EPL this season. Great story! 10 years ago they were in the fifth tier, so it’s like a team from a Northern American local beer league working its way up to the majors. When a team is… --- ## [NFL WEEK TWO birds with one stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-two-birds-with-one-stone/990107)
**Author:** [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2023, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-two-birds-with-one-stone/990107 "2023-09-21T20:21:12Z")
My title for Week 1? Money can’t buy happiness. Joe Burrow, Daniel Jones, Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Hurts. A lot of teams invested a lot of money in players this offseason, and Week 1 was a wake up call for some of them. I ha… --- ## [Gamblers and mathematicians: how would you hedge this bet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gamblers-and-mathematicians-how-would-you-hedge-this-bet/990385)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2023, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gamblers-and-mathematicians-how-would-you-hedge-this-bet/990385 "2023-09-20T11:13:27Z")
A few months ago, I placed a small $50 legal wager on the Cincinnati Reds to win the World Series. I knew it was a long shot from the start, but the payback would be $4,050 if they did indeed win. And, if they made the… --- ## [Old Greek board game](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-greek-board-game/990238)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2023, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-greek-board-game/990238 "2023-09-18T21:53:31Z")
We used to play a simple Greek battle game. The pieces were simple shapes= triangles, squares, etc. Each shape matched a type of ancient greek army unit, such as hoplites. The idea was to “kill” an enemy shape unit by … --- ## [USC and UCLA in the Big 10?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usc-and-ucla-in-the-big-10/967197)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2023, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usc-and-ucla-in-the-big-10/967197 "2023-09-18T21:50:40Z")
I am on lunch break from work and not drunk or high, but this just crossed my radar. Ok, I get that college football is all about money but how does this make financial sense? UCLA and USC are both fine academically, … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=34) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/the-game-room/17.md?page=36)